Day 11, Marfa – El Paso

Today it was a easy 22 miles into Ft Davis, the end point of the bike trip loop. From there Jim, David and Jane would leave in their cars and the rest of us would van back to El Paso.

It was a cold in camp last night, below freezing for most of the night and most slept only so-so. Many thought they saw the Marfa Lights reflecting around camp but i think it was just the wild neon signs they had scattered around the campground.

. . . soon we headed,

. . . north out of town for the sprint to Ft Davis . . .

. . . with a few final splashes of color along the roadside.

. . . there had been a HUGE multi level, greenhouse operation just north of Presidio, and as we neared Ft Davis, here was a sister plant to the Villages Greenhouse operation. Funny having such production facilities out in the middle of the desert!!!

Soon we were back at our starting point of the trip , the Stone Village Tourist Camp, where we took quick showers, loaded up the van, said goodbye to our new rider friends who had driven to Ft Davis and were back in the van on the way to El Paso.

Of course, along the way  we had to stop at the Prada store, located just off Hwy 90. It is a permanently installed sculpture by artists Elmgreen and Dragset costing $120,000 to construct and was intended to never be repaired, so it might slowly degrade back into the natural landscape. This plan was deviated from when, the night the sculpture was completed, vandals graffitied the exterior, and broke into the building stealing handbags and shoes. Read all about it  here.

The fence has provided the avenue for ‘lovers’ to leave a lock symbolizing their love for each other.  Just like in Paris, FR, that is, not Paris, TX!!

. . . . Smoochie . . . I miss you!!!

Once we reached the interstate, we stopped for gas and of course the G had to consider a ‘roller dog’ snack!! Two for $1.00!!!

But it wasn’t enough to spoil his appetite, as once we were all back at the Hyatt Hotel in El Paso, and cleaned up, we headed to the Canyon Cattle Company Restaurant . . .

. . . where Marion took EXCELLENT care of us, delivering our two  tables of several rounds of beverages all on one tray!!!

. . . and finally, after 10 days, I fell off the wagon with a well appreciated bourbon on the rocks . . .

We all ate hearty, Texas style,  . . .

which included room for dessert . . .

. . . all around

even Jamie, our most healthy eater, broke down here at the finish line!!!

Back at the Hyatt . . . sweet dreams . . . .